CONTACT: ADDRESS: Abbie Stewart 1032 8th Ave SE [email protected] Calgary, AB, 403-701-2398 T2G 0M4

Review of Caribou Impacts for the Baffinland Phase 2 Development Proposal Hearing

Prepared for Mittimatalik Hunters & Trappers Organization January 2021

Photo: Baffinland Review of Caribou Impacts for the Baffinland Phase 2 Development Proposal Hearing January 2021

List of Contributors

Wildlife Ecology Abbie Stewart, M.Sc. P.Biol, R.P.Bio.

Petr Komers, Ph.D

Report Preparation Logan Boyer, B.Sc.

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Acronym List DOE Department of Environment

MSES Management and Solutions in Environmental Science MHTO Mittimatalik Hunters & Trappers Organization NQL non-quota limitation NWMB Wildlife Management Board TAH Total Allowable Harvest

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Table of Contents

PAGE ACRONYM LIST ...... II 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 1 2.0 STATUS OF CARIBOU...... 1 3.0 IMPACTS TO BARREN-GROUND CARIBOU ...... 2 4.0 IMPACTS TO WOODLAND CARIBOU ...... 6 5.0 CONCLUSIONS ...... 9 6.0 LITERATURE CITED ...... 10

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1.0 Introduction Management and Solutions in Environmental Science (MSES) has been asked by the Mittimatalik Hunters & Trappers Organization (MHTO) to identify any barren ground caribou literature relevant to understanding and assessing the impacts of the proposed Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation’s (Baffinland) Phase 2 Development Proposal related to the Mary River Project (the Project).

MSES has developed an annotated bibliography identifying literature containing information on the effects of human development on barren ground caribou and woodland caribou. Existing research and associated literature have generally shown that caribou avoid anthropogenic disturbance such as mines (Weir et al. 2007, Boulanger et al. 2012, Plante et al. 2018), roads (Cameron et al. 2005, Leblond et al. 2015, Plante et al. 2018), and railways. Such avoidance has been linked to energetic costs to caribou (Bradshaw et al. 1998). The table below summarizes some relevant research findings regarding spatial areas of avoidance by caribou to human activities and infrastructure. There is overwhelming evidence in scientific literature that caribou avoid human activities. While such avoidance varies a great deal with the context of the disturbance, the effects are inevitably negative on caribou. Caribou avoidance behaviour could result in changes to the distribution and movement patterns of individuals and functional habitat loss. Human activity can also result in direct habitat loss and mortality.

2.0 Status of Baffin Island Caribou The abundance of caribou on Baffin Island appears to be cyclical, fluctuating over periods of 50-90 years. Population sizes at the peak of these fluctuations are at least ten times larger than when the population size is at a minimum (Campbell et al. 2015; Ferguson 1998; Stenton 1991). These large-scale fluctuations have been observed in other caribou populations throughout the (Ferguson 1997, Gunn 2003, Morneau and Payette 2000) and are believed to be natural, resulting from interactions of caribou, vegetation, predation, and disease.

For the sake of caribou management, these cycles are divided into 4 phases (DOE 2019), the lengths of which are estimated during the previous caribou cycle (Ferguson et al. 1998).

Red Phase

Caribou abundance is at a minimum (<10% of peak), and extirpation is possible for some or all of Baffin Island. Near the end of the Red Phase, caribou range will begin to recover, and population size and distribution of caribou will increase. As of 2019, we were in the Red Phase (DOE 2019) which began sometime between 2010-2015, and it is assumed that we are still in the same phase. The previous Red Phase spanned 25-30 years between 1935-1965 (Ferguson 2005).

Yellow Phase

During the Yellow Phase, there are increases in caribou abundance and range, especially near the latter part of this phase. The last Yellow Phase spanned 25-30 years between 1965-1990 (Ferguson 2005).

Green Phase

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Review of Caribou Impacts for the Baffinland Phase 2 Development Proposal Hearing January 2021

Caribou abundance peaks and begins to decline during the Green Phase. During this phase, caribou numbers far exceed the carrying capacity of their habitat. The larger the population grows, and the longer it lasts, the longer the recovery will be during the next Red Phase. Increased harvest of caribou during this phase could theoretically reduce the period between Green Phases. The last Green Phase spanned about 10 years between 1990 and 2000 (Ferguson 2005).

Orange Phase

With the number of caribou greatly exceeding the carrying capacity of their habitat, caribou abundance drops drastically during the Orange Phase. The last Orange Phase spanned 10-15 years from about 2000- 2010 (Ferguson 2005).

Baffin caribou were determined to be in the Red Phase in 2019 (DOE 2019) and are assumed to currently still be in the Red Phase. Estimates from two studies incorporating IQ ( Qaujimajatuqangit – the Inuktitut phrase that is often translated as "Inuit traditional knowledge") from hunters across Baffin suggested a severe decline in population from the 1990’s to the early 2000’s. In February/March of 2014, the Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment (DOE) conducted aerial surveys across Baffin Island (Campbell et al. 2015). The survey estimated that there were 4,652 (± 1,190; 95% CI) caribou on Baffin Island, with a majority of the caribou concentrated in south Baffin and Prince .

As a result of the 2014 survey, an eight-month moratorium was put in place on January 1, 2015. Following the moratorium, a Total Allowable Harvest (TAH) and a non-quota bull only limitation (NQL) was put in place by the Nunavut Wildlife Management Board (NWMB). The total number of bull-only tags allocated to communities on Baffin Island was 170 in 2015/16 and 250 from 2016 to 2019. In July of 2019, NQL was changed to allow for up to 25 cows without calves to be harvested within the TAH.

3.0 Impacts to Barren-Ground Caribou Type of Activity Amount or Type of Impact Description Source Avoidance Mines Diamond Mine (Ekati 11-14 km in winter Possibly related to dust Boulanger et al. 2012 and Diavik Diamond deposition from mine Mines – Open Pit) activities and non- dustfall sensory disturbance. Zone of influence identified in this study are used in the Bathurst caribou range plan (GNWT 2019). Quartzite (Sydvaranger 1.5 km Change in distribution Eftestøl et al. 2019 Mine – Surface Mining) and habitat use. Stronger effects were

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noted during periods of high human activity. Given terrain barriers, the study area was limited to include an area extending up to 10 km from the mine. Caribou movement was limited by steep mountains, fjords, and fencing. Diamond Mine (Ekati Increased movement Increased movement Boulanger et al. 2004 and Diavik Diamond rate in vicinity of mine Mines – Open Pit) sites and selection of habitat by caribou at further distances from the mine sites over time. Please see Boulanger et al. (2012) for a more recent and refined analysis of the zone of influence. Diamond Mine (Ekati) Change in behaviour Increase in time spent Erm Rescan 2014 alert after man-made disturbance/stressor event. Linear Features Roads ~1 km (Misery Haul Caribou forage - dust Chen et al. 2017 Road) on leaves 3 – 9 times greater than background sites. Potential impacts to forage quality. Within 1000 m of the road, reduced lichen (main caribou forage) density was also reported. 5-6 km - change in Increase vigilance Wolfe et al. 2000 caribou density in areas behaviour, partial 5-6 km from roads movement barrier, and collision mortality. Literature review found that “individuals and groups of reindeer/caribou 1)

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move away from point sources of disturbance; 2) increase activity and energy expenditure near disturbance; 3) delay crossing or fail to cross linear structures; 4) shift away from areas of extensive and intensive development; and 5) are killed by collision with vehicles and by hunting along roads”. Reindeer/caribou reaction to roads and railways may be accentuated by heavy traffic.

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4 km - avoidance Calving caribou Cameron et al. 2005 within 4 km resulting in abundance less than lower energy intake expected within 4 km and declined exponentially with road density. Calving shifted away from infrastructure into areas with lower forage biomass. Abundance and movements were lower in the oil field complex and road/pipeline crossings were relatively unsuccessful (July/August). Compared to disturbance-free caribou, those caribou exposed to petroleum development may have lower energy balance due to lower forage consumption. Likely consequences were poor body condition and lower birth rates (also see Cameron et al. 1992 re: body condition and calf production). 18.5 - 30 km Potential for short-term Johnson and Russell behavioural response or 2014 abandonment of portions of seasonal range. Railways increased vigilance, Reindeer/caribou Wolfe et al. 2000 changes to movement, reaction to roads and and potential for railways may be mortality events. accentuated by heavy traffic. Increase vigilance behaviour, partial movement barrier, and collision mortality.

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Infrastructure (roads, 1 – 5 km This study evaluated the Johnson et al. 2020 pipelines, well pads, ability of caribou to stations, and support habituate to energy facilities) development. After 40 years of exposure to development, caribou displayed avoidance responses to infrastructure during calving (5 km), post- calving (2 km), and mosquito harassment (1 km) periods resulting in avoidance of important habitat during these periods. Authors concluded that habituation by caribou to development activities is likely to be weak or absent.

4.0 Impacts to Woodland Caribou Four subspecies are defined with the caribou species (Rangifer tarandus), including woodland (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Peary (Rangifer tarandus pearyi), barren-ground west of the Mackenzie River (Rangifer tarandus granti), and barren ground east of the Mackenzie River (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus). Scientific literature on the different subspecies is relevant for understanding potential responses by caribou overall. Generally, the literature indicates that all subspecies of caribou display avoidance responses to anthropogenic activities. In order to provide a fulsome review of the scientific information that is available and relevant to understanding potential Baffin Island caribou responses to anthropogenic disturbance, we have included information from studies on woodland caribou to supplement the information provided above, which is specific to barren ground caribou.

Type of Activity Amount of Impact Description Source Avoidance Mines Not Specified 2 km in winter Indirect habitat loss. Polfus et al. 2011 Caribou avoided mines in the summer season when human activity was higher (compared to winter).

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Gold Mine Up to 4 km year-round Changes in caribou Weir et al. 2007 (Hope Brook Gold Up to 6 km during distribution. Change Mine – Open Pit and calving structure of caribou Underground) groups: decrease in group size near mine; reported absences of females and calves near mine site. Caribou responded to mine disturbance in all seasons. Nickle and Copper Up to 19-23 km (only Changes in caribou Plante et al. 2018 Mine summer was analyzed) distribution and (Raglan Mine – quantity and quality of Underground) habitat. Caribou avoided all disturbance types, except power lines. Avoidance distances ranged up to 23 km and resulted in cumulative habitat loss. Coal Mine (Wolverine 3 km Changes in caribou Johnson et al. 2015 and Trend Mines – distribution (GPS-collar Open Pit) locations) and quantity and quality of habitat. Linear Features Roads, pipelines, and 500 m A 500 m buffer on GoA. 2017 seismic lines, harvested human-caused features areas, well pads, and is used to define facilities. ‘anthropogenic disturbance’, based on known negative adjacency effects of these features on caribou. Seismic Lines 100-200 m Changes in caribou Dyer et al. 2001 distribution and quantity and quality of habitat. Activity on seismic lines was not collected. 2-2.5 km Changes in caribou Johnson et al. 2015 distribution (GPS-collar locations) and quantity and quality of habitat.

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Roads Up to 8 km (gravel Changes in caribou Plante et al. 2018 road) distribution and quantity and quality of habitat. Decreased habitat use within 8 km of road to the mine. 250 m Changes in caribou Dyer et al. 2001 distribution and quantity and quality of habitat. Traffic level data was incomplete and potentially ranged between 40 and 800 vehicles /day depending on the time period and road. 1-1.75 km Changes in caribou Johnson et al. 2015 distribution (GPS-collar locations) and quantity and quality of habitat. 1 –2 km Indirect habitat loss. Polfus et al. 2011 Caribou avoided high and low use roads in the winter and summer seasons. 0.0-0.3km/km2 Caribou density Nellemann and 0.6-0.9km/km2 declined 63% at road Cameron 1998 density of 0.0- (mountain reindeer) 0.3km/km2; declined 86% at road density of 0.6-0.9km/km2. Caribou displacement. Power Lines 2.5 km Decrease in caribou Nellemann et al. 2001 density within 2.5 km (mountain reindeer) zone and an increase in density in further distances (change in spacing strategy). Depletion of lichen cover in background areas. Power Lines 4 km Habitat loss and Vistnes and Nellemann fragmentation. Decline 2001 in reindeer densities (mountain reindeer) measured.

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Review of Caribou Impacts for the Baffinland Phase 2 Development Proposal Hearing January 2021

4 km Habitat loss and Nellemann et al. 2003 fragmentation. Decline (mountain reindeer) in reindeer densities measured. Railways Mortality events Mortality caused by McLellan et al. 2012 collisions of caribou with trains. 8 caribou killed in vehicle or train collisions between 1984 and 2010. Mortality events Mortality caused by Cumming and Beange collisions of caribou 1993 with trains. 12 caribou killed in one train incident in winter season. Mortality events Mortality caused by Stevenson and Hatler collisions of caribou 1985 with trains. Changes to movement Obstructed movement Klein 1971 in wild reindeer with increasing frequency of trains (although see arguments in Bergerud et al. 1984 that lack of crossing was due to range contraction). Mortality events Mortality caused by Bergerud et al. 1984 collisions of caribou with trains and increased access by hunters.

5.0 Conclusions Given the information available on caribou responses to anthropogenic disturbance, it is highly likely that Baffin Island caribou are currently impacted by the existing Mary River Project and will experience increased impacts from the proposed Phase 2 of the Project. The Project overlaps with the North Baffin Group/Subpopulation Range (DOE 2019; Figure 4) and includes infrastructure similar to those discussed in the articles cited above (including both linear and area based human disturbance features). The avoidance responses, behavioural changes, and sources of mortality that have been documented for caribou suggest that the North Baffin subpopulation could also experience (and likely already have experienced) changes to their distribution and movement patterns, functional habitat loss, and mortality due to industrial activities.

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6.0 Literature Cited Bergerud, A.T., Jakimchuk, R.D., & Carruthers, D.R. (1984). The Buffalo of the North: Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) and Human Developments. Arctic 37(1): 7-22.

Boulanger, J., Poole, K.G., Fournier, B., Wierzchowski, J., Gunn, A. & Gaines, T. (2004). Assessment of Bathurst caribou movements and distribution in the Slave Geological Province. Department of Resources Wildlife, and Economic Development, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT, Canada.

Boulanger, J., Poole, K.G., Gunn, A., & Wierzchowski, J. (2012). Estimating the zone of influence of industrial developments on wildlife: a migratory caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) and diamond mine case study. Wildlife Biology, 18(2), 164–179. doi:10.2981/11-045

Bradshaw, C.J.A., Boutin, S., & Hebert, D.M. 1998. Energetic implications of disturbance caused by petroleum exploration to woodland caribou. Canadian Journal of Zoology 76: 1319-1324.

Cameron, R.D., Smith, W.T., S.G. Fancy, K.L. Gerhart and R.G. White. 1992. Calving success of female caribou in relation to body weight. Canadian Journal of Zoology 71: 480-486.

Cameron, R.D., Smith, W.T., White, R.G., & Griffith, B. (2005). Central Arctic Caribou and Petroleum Development: Distributional, Nutritional, and Reproductive Implications. Arctic, 58(1), 1-9.

Campbell, M., Goorts, J., Lee, D.S., Boulanger, J. & Pretzlaw, T. (2015). Aerial Abundance Estimates, Seasonal Range Use, and Demographic affiliations of the Barren-Ground Caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) on Baffin Island – March 2014. Government of Nunavut Department of Environment Technical Report Series – No: 01-2015. Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment, Iqaluit, NU. 179pp.

Chen, W., LeBlanc, S.G., White, H.P., Prevost, C., Milakovic, B., Rock, C., Sharam, G., O’Keefe, H., Corey, L., Croft, B., Gunn, A., van der Wielen, S., Football, A., Tracz, B., Pellissey, J.S., & Boulanger, J. (2017). Does dust from Arctic mines affect caribou forage? J. Environ. Prot. 8, 258–276.

Cumming, H.G. and D.B. Beange. 1993. Survival of woodland caribou in commercial forests of northern Ontario. The Forestry Chronicle 69(5): 579-588.

Department of Environment (DOE) (2019). Baffin Island Caribou Management Plan. Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment, Iqaluit, NU. 23pp.

Dyer, S.J., O’Neill, J.P., Wasel, S.M., & Boutin, S. (2001). Avoidance of Industrial Development by Woodland Caribou. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 65(3), 531. doi:10.2307/3803106

Eftestøl, S., Flydal, K., Tsegaye, D., & Colman, J. E. (2019). Mining activity disturbs habitat use of reindeer in Finnmark, Northern Norway. Polar Biology, 42, 1849–1858. doi:10.1007/s00300-019-02563-8

ERM Rescan. 2014. Ekati Diamond Mine: 2013 Wildlife Effects Monitoring Program. Prepared for Dominion Diamond Ekati Corporation by ERM Rescan: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

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Ferguson, M.A.D. (1997). Arctic tundra caribou and climatic change: questions of temporal and spatial scales. Geoscience Canada, 23(4): 245-252.

Ferguson, M.A.D., Williamson, R.G., and Messier, F. (1998). Inuit knowledge of long-term changes in a population of Arctic tundra caribou. Arctic, 51(3): 201-219.

Ferguson, M.A.D. (2005). Draft South Baffin Caribou Management Plan 2006-2020. Government of Nunavut, Department of Environment, Iqaluit, NU. 19pp.

Government of Alberta. 2017. Draft Provincial Woodland Caribou Range Plan. Pp. 1-212. Website: https://open.alberta.ca/publications/9781460137055.

Government of the Northwest Territories. 2019. Bathurst Caribou Range Plan. Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT. 86 + iii pp. ISBN: 978-0-7708-0267-7.

Gunn, A. (2003). Voles, lemmings and caribou - population cycles revisited? Rangifer, 23(5), 105-111. doi:10.7557/2.23.5.1689

Johnson, C.J., & Russell, D.E. (2014). Long-term distribution responses of a migratory caribou herd to human disturbance. Biological Conservation, 177, 52–63. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2014.06.007

Johnson, C.J., Ehlers, L.P. W., & Seip, D.R. (2015). Witnessing extinction – Cumulative impacts across landscapes and the future loss of an evolutionarily significant unit of woodland caribou in Canada. Biological Conservation, 186, 176–186. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2015.03.012

Johnson, H.E., Golden, T.S., Adams, L.G., Gustine, D.D., & Lenart, E.A. (2020). Caribou Use of Habitat Near Energy Development in Arctic Alaska. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 84(3), 401-412. doi:10.1002/jwmg.21809

Klein, D. R. 1971. Reaction of reindeer to obstructions and disturbances. Science 173: 393-398.

Leblond, M., Dussault, C., & St-Laurent, M.H. (2014). Development and validation of an expert-based habitat suitability model to support boreal caribou conservation. Biological Conservation, 177, 100– 108. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2014.06.016

McLellan,M.L., R. Serrouya, B.N. McLellan, K. Furk, D.C. Heard, and H.U. Wittmer. 2012. Implications of body condition on the unsustainable predation rates of endangered mountain caribou. Oecologia 169: 853-860.

Morneau, C., & Payette, S. (2000). Long-term fluctuations of a caribou population revealed by tree-ring data. Canadian Journal of Zoology, 78(10), 1784–1790. doi:10.1139/z00-122

Nellemann, C., Vistnes, I., Jordhøy, P., & Strand, O. (2001). Winter distribution of wild reindeer in relation to power lines, roads and resorts. Biological Conservation, 101(3), 351–360. doi:10.1016/s0006- 3207(01)00082-9

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Nellemann, C., Vistnes, I., Jordhøy, P., Strand, O., & Newton, A. (2003). Progressive impact of piecemeal infrastructure development on wild reindeer. Biological Conservation, 113(2), 307–317. doi:10.1016/s0006-3207(03)00048-x

Plante, S., Dussault, C., Richard, J.H., & Côté, S.D. (2018). Human disturbance effects and cumulative habitat loss in endangered migratory caribou. Biological Conservation, 224, 129–143. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2018.05.022

Polfus, J.L., Hebblewhite, M., & Heinemeyer, K. (2011). Identifying indirect habitat loss and avoidance of human infrastructure by northern mountain woodland caribou. Biological Conservation, 144(11), 2637–2646. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.07.023

Stenton, D.R. 1991. Caribou population dynamics and Thule culture adaptations on southern Baffin Island, N.W.T. Arctic Anthropology, 28(2), 15-43.

Stevenson, S.K., & Hatler, D.F. (1985). Woodland Caribou and Their Habitat in Southern and Central British Columbia. Land Management Report no. 23, Information Series. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, British Columbia.

Vistnes, I., & Nellemann, C. (2001). Avoidance of Cabins, Roads, and Power Lines by Reindeer during Calving. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 65(4), 915. doi:10.2307/3803040

Weir, J.N., Mahoney, S.P., McLaren, B., & Ferguson, S.H. (2007). Effects of Mine Development on Woodland Caribou Rangifer Tarandus Distribution. Wildlife Biology, 13(1), 66–74. doi:10.2981/0909-6396(2007)13[66:eomdow]2.0.co;2

Wolfe, S.A., Griffith, B., & Wolfe, C.A.G. (2000). Response of reindeer and caribou to human activities. Polar Research, 19(1), 63–73. doi:10.1111/j.1751-8369.2000.tb00329.x

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